Sin Problem in the Christian Life, Part 1

In this part of the sermon: Martin introduces the sermon as an 'appendix' to the doctrine of justification, following previous studies on cardinal blessings like calling and regeneration. He notes that this…

The sermon's topic is likened to an appendix in a book, dealing with matters that grow out of the main theme (justification) but don't fit into the main body, helping to frame the discussion as a necessary extension.

of one or another dimension of union with Christ, all the way from election in eternity to glorification in the world to come, there is an order in which God actually applies them to his people. We've considered those that come to us on the threshold of entering into the kingdom of God, namely the blessings of calling and of regeneration. And now we are considering those blessings which come to us immediately upon entering the kingdom of God. And the first of those great cardinal blessings is the blessing of justification. And because it is so fundamental to a righteous people, it is so fundam...

1:42 - 3:05 Read in full sermon

Driving home: The justifying act is the declaration that. All sin, past, present, and future, there is no condemnation to the one who is in Christ Jesus. And yet there's the reality of indwelling sin and the reality of actual sin.

Paul's words in Romans 7 are described as him putting a stethoscope or megaphone to his own heart, allowing listeners to hear his internal struggle with indwelling sin, making the biblical text more vivid and relatable.

Or in the language of Romans 7.18 and following, we find the apostle, as it were, putting a stethoscope or a megaphone to his own heart and letting us hear the language of his own heart as he wrestles with this reality of indwelling sin. I know that. That is, in my flesh dwelleth no good thing, for to will is present with me, but to do that which is good is not, the good that I would I do not, the evil that I would not that I do.

8:28 - 9:04 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin critiques antinomian responses that falsely magnify justification by ignoring or downplaying indwelling and actual sin, leading to a lack of concern for holiness or a…

The teaching of Robert Thiem, who claims Christians should never pray Psalm 51 or plead for forgiveness, is used as a contemporary example of a false magnifying of justification that leads to a superficial view of sin and confession.

There's a man in our day whose ministry goes around the world by the name of Robert Thiem, who really has almost a cultic following. And this is his teaching. And thousands upon thousands have imbibed it, that no Christian should ever pray the 51st. No Christian should ever plead for forgiveness.

14:09 - 14:30 Read in full sermon

The point: Honor the God of justifying grace while also honoring His holy, unchanging law and acknowledging your shortcomings.

Dealing with the sensitive question of sin in the Christian life is called 'spiritual neurosurgery,' emphasizing the precision and care required, as 'one little slip can be fatal to the soul.'

It's what I call spiritual neurosurgery when we get into this realm. We're dealing with things where one little slip can be fatal to the soul. May God give us understanding in his word as we seek to wrestle with the answer to the question. All right?

20:27 - 20:44 Read in full sermon

Driving home: Sin in a justified person must always be acknowledged as sin.

The devil's logic, derived from Romans 5 ('where sin abounds, grace superabounds'), is presented as a perversion of truth, suggesting that one should sin more to experience more grace, highlighting a dangerous misapplication of justification.

It does no honor to the God of justifying grace to add the devil's logic to the doctrine of justification. You know what the devil's logic is, don't you? It's given to us in Romans 5. Paul says where sin abounds, grace superabounds.

21:32 - 21:53 Read in full sermon

The point: Take your sin seriously; your professed confidence in Christ should make you more sensitive to sin and tender of conscience, not less.

A quote from John Owen is used to distinguish between conscience condemning the sinner for sin (before justification) and conscience condemning sin in the sinner (after justification), clarifying how a believer's conscience functions regarding sin.

As that old master of heart theology has said it so accurately. John Owen listen to this statement it's been a great help to me. The blood of Christ takes away conscience condemning the sinner for his sin. The blood of Christ takes away the conscience condemning the sinner for his sin.

33:51 - 34:18 Read in full sermon

Driving home: If we take sin lightly we dishonor the law. If we allow sin to bring us into legal bondage we dishonor the gospel.

Adam's reaction to his sin, running to hide from God, is used as an example of the 'aversion to God' that accompanies legal bondage, illustrating the negative consequences of allowing sin to bring one under terror.

When the conscience of Adam was stung with the awareness of his sin he had an aversion to God he ran to hide. And the aversion to God is always an accompaniment of legal bondage. Now such an attitude in one who believes on the Lord Jesus Christ is a denial of justifying grace and it contradicts the gospel. I take you back now to this chapter in Romans that we've had occasion to refer to again and again.

40:52 - 41:35 Read in full sermon